Jaffa has been vital as a port since time immemorial and station on the ancient trade route, the Via Maris, which connected Egypt with Mesopotamia and the north. According to legend, Jaffa is the biblical port-town of Joppa founded by Noah’s son Japhet. Moreover, the story of Jonah and the whale is associated with Jaffa, for Jonah set sail from this place on his voyage to Ninevah. Indeed the St. Peter’s Church and the House of Simon the Tanner recall the biblical times!

Birth of Tel Aviv

In 1909, a number of Jews intended to escape the cramped quarters of Jaffa & founded Tel Aviv in the sand-dunes north of the city. Today, Tel Aviv the Commercial capital of Israel is indeed a modern metropolis. It is the center of culture, entertainment & Israel’s most cosmopolitan city.

Conspicuous Places

St. Peter’s Church, Jaffa also known as the Tourist Church conducts church services in many languages. (English, Hebrew, Arabic, Spanish, German, French, Latin etc) I participate at the 9 a.m. English Service on Sunday. The Church of St. Peter at night is indeed picturesque.

An icon that was indeed interesting was the ‘Wishing Bridge’. An ancient legend holds that anyone boarding the bridge, holds ones zodiac sign and looks at the sea- their wish would come true.

Another was the “Zodiac Fountain”. Limited Salvage Excavations conducted in January 2010 showed that it belonged to the Ottoman Period and included a variety of architectural elements- buildings, walls, floors and paved courtyard containing a water cistern, together with built water channels.  

Moreover, discoveries show that Zodiac Fountain lends support to an ancient legend of a wishing well at that exact location. As per the legend, if a person made a wish and cast a coin into the well, the wish would be granted!

The Statue of Faith depicted three biblical occurrences. Namely; Jacobs Dream (left pillar), The Sacrifice of Isaac (right pillar) & The fall of Jericho. (top horizontal pillar)  Indeed meaningful in a biblical context.

Moreover, the Old Jaffa city is situated overlooking the Tel Aviv City and Tel Aviv Sea. A spectacular site indeed!

By: Dhinesha R. Perera

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